According to Dárek pro Putina on September 21, 2023, its crowdfunding campaign, which commenced on May 8, 2023, with the goal of delivering a Bozena-5 demining system to Ukraine, reached its fundraising target. This achievement comes as a significant step in addressing the pressing issue of landmines in Ukraine, with the campaign amassing a total of 650,216 € to support this cause.
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The Bozena-5 demining system, which can be remotely controlled, will be delivered in the Kherson region of Ukraine (Picture source: Way Industries)
Way Industries, a Slovakian company, started the assembly of the Bozena-5 demining system for Ukraine in July 2023, following substantial contributions from the crowdfunding campaign, which accounted for more than 40% of the machine's overall cost. The entire project is being overseen and coordinated by the non-profit organization Team4Ukraine, which will be responsible for the vehicle's delivery to the Kherson region.
The funds raised, totaling 650,000€, will cover various aspects of the project, including manufacturing, training, acquiring additional equipment, transportation to the intended destination, and the provision of a truck for transportation. Notably, the government of Taiwan played a significant role in supporting this initiative by contributing 100,000 euros towards the campaign.
The payment for the Bozena-5 demining system was divided into two parts, with an initial advance of 200,000 euros facilitating the commencement of its assembly. The second part constitutes the basic payment for all services associated with the project.
The Bozena-5 demining system, based on proven technology previously employed in UN missions, is poised to make a substantial impact on the ongoing mine clearance operations in Ukraine. The country has been grappling with a grave landmine crisis since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. According to a Globesec report from April 26, 2023, nearly 30% of Ukraine's territory, equivalent to approximately 174,000 square kilometers, is plagued by landmines and unexploded ordnance. As of September 2023, the contaminated territories reached a total area of 250,000 square kilometers, exceeding the size of the entire Korean Peninsula (220,000 square kilometers).
The complexity and resource-intensive nature of demining operations have been exacerbated by the tactics employed by Russian forces, making the task even more challenging. As of June 2023, these efforts had resulted in the clearance of approximately 540,000 unexploded items, and the World Bank estimates the total cost of making Ukraine safe from these hazards at a staggering $37 billion.
This contamination presents substantial challenges, both in terms of resource allocation and economic stability, emphasizing the crucial role played by mine-clearing vehicles like the domestically-produced Pozhmashina PM-B, the Czech Bozena-4 and Bozena-5, the German Wisent 1, the Swiss Digger D-250, and the South Korean K600 Rhino.
The Bozena-5 Demining System, originating from the Czech Republic, is a remotely controlled light demining system specially designed for mine clearance and counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) tasks. It is equipped with a rotating flail-chain demining device and features a detachable working unit that houses the demining device, adaptable to different terrains and minefield conditions. The system also includes a prime mover for propulsion and mobility.
To ensure the safety of operators, the system offers remote control operation with a range of up to 5,000 meters, keeping operators at a safe distance from potential dangers. Additionally, it boasts a blast resistance of 9 kg TNT, further enhancing operator safety and enabling its usage in zones with high-threat contamination. The Bozena-5 system, suitable for efficiently clearing large mine-affected areas, can also be enhanced with various accessories and attachments to expand its capabilities in counter-IED operations and field construction tasks.
The Bozena-5 could also serve as a digging/leveling machine (Picture source: Way Industries)
Furthermore, the machine's versatility extends beyond demining; it can be employed for the clearance of bushes and low vegetation, handling dangerous materials, or serving as a remote-controlled digging/leveling machine. Its compact size and weight make it effective in space-limited conditions such as forests, mountains, plantations, and areas with obstacles.
With a track record of over 15 years of successful deployment worldwide, including in Ukraine and Azerbaijan, Bozena systems have gained recognition and demonstrated their effectiveness in real-world demining operations.
The Bozena-5 mine clearing vehicle boasts a set of specifications that contribute to its efficiency. In its working position, it reaches a maximum height of 2,225 mm and a width of 3,350 mm, with a length of 7,320 mm. The vehicle's total length remains the same when equipped with the flail and rear hinge. The Prime mover measures 5,020 mm in length, while the flail and tiller have lengths of 2,310 mm and 2,060 mm, respectively. With tracks, the Prime mover has a width of 2,400 mm, and the flail extends to 3,350 mm. The height of the Prime mover is 2,400 mm. In terms of weight, the Bozena-5 has a total weight of 12,340 kg, including the flail, while the Prime mover alone weighs 10,240 kg. The flail weighs 2,100 kg, and the tiller weighs 2,900 kg.
The vehicle is equipped with a TATRA T3C-928-81 engine, a turbocharged engine that meets the EURO III standard. It has a rated power of 270 kW (362 HP) at 1,800 RPM and a torque of 1,850 Nm at 1,000 RPM. The average and maximum fuel consumption rates are 43.0 and 59.0 liters per hour, respectively. The Bozena-5 offers a mine clearance width of 2,655 mm and can clear depths of up to 300 mm with the flail and 350 mm with the tiller. The flail and tiller operate optimally within the RPM range of 300 to 500, providing efficient clearance operations. The maximum working efficiency for the flail and tiller is 5,000 and 6,000 square meters per hour, respectively. The vehicle can handle vegetation cutting with a diameter of up to 35 cm and a height of up to 5 m. It has a fording depth capability of up to 800 mm, allowing it to traverse water at this depth. With a fuel tank capacity of 270 liters, the Bozena-5 can operate for extended periods. It has a maximum speed of 9 km/h, and its remote control range is 5,000 m, with a battery life of 11 hours.
As the crowdfunding campaign succeeds in reaching its goal, the Bozena-5 demining system's imminent deployment to Ukraine holds promise for a safer and more secure future in a nation burdened by the lingering threats of landmines and unexploded ordnance. The international community's support for such initiatives underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to address the pressing issue of landmine contamination in conflict-ridden regions.
